Marion County RECORD

Changes in property tax rates in Marion County were mixed this year, with more cities and school districts having increases in taxes than decreases, and those that increased tended to change more than those that decreased.
Property taxes paid depend on three factors: a property’s appraised value and type and the tax rate. A property’s value is calculated by the county appraiser’s office based on state rules, and the biggest consideration in calculating residential values is sales of similar houses.

It has taken a couple of weeks, but the credit card number security breach at Target that affected 40 million shoppers from Black Friday until Dec. 15 has begin trickling down to Marion County residents.
Sherry Hess said one of her daughters had $600 stolen from a card she used at Target during that time.

Dr. Paige Hatcher arrived at St. Luke Physician Clinic in October, and with a couple of months under her belt, she doesn’t have to think about what has surprised her the most.
“People are sicker than I expected,” she said.

In an effort to protect the community and those camping or playing by the river at Tobe and “Red” Moore’s newly purchased property off Sunflower, the Marion County Sheriff’s and Marion Police departments are moving their shooting range from its location to the south county shop west of Sunflower Rd.
“We thought it was a good idea to move for safety reasons,” Marion Police Chief Tyler Mermis said. “The new range is bigger and will allow us the opportunity to train differently to prepare better for situations in today’s world.”

County commissioners had agreed Dec. 9 that when a $6,774 check for the sale of scrap metal was received, the proceeds would be divided seven ways among local food banks.
Hillsboro Main Street Ministries and Marion County Emergency Food Bank will both receive two portions because they serve larger populations.

A two-vehicle accident 2 miles west of Lincolnville on Christmas Eve day sent two teenagers to the hospital, one with life threatening injuries.
Cadan Bernhardt, 16, of 2121 Alamo Rd., Lehigh, was traveling west on 290th Rd. at 12:30 p.m. in a 1993 Ford Ranger when he attempted to turn left unto Timber Rd. and was struck on the driver’s side by a westbound 1998 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck driven by Trenton Miller, 16, 2274 350th Rd., Lost Springs.

Burglars entered the home of Gary and Barbara Alleven, 4.5 miles south of Marion, in the middle of the day Dec. 4 and stole an estimated $8,200 worth of goods.
Their son, 14-year-old Garrett, who was home alone, had gone to hang out with cousins that morning and discovered the break-in when he returned home at 2 p.m.

The site of the former Big Scoop, that was demolished after a fire in early 2013, will soon have new owners.
Owners Rusty and Lee Ann Stenseng, who also own Wildcat Grill in El Dorado, originally had plans to rebuild the ice cream parlor but plan to sell the lot after disputing this year’s taxes.

Rubena Esther Bartel, 95, of Hillsboro died Dec. 21 at Salem Home. She was born Feb. 1, 1918, to Peter D. and Elizabeth (Penner) Leppke in Collinsville, Okla.
She married Ted Klaassen on June 10, 1943. She later married Elgin Bartel on July 21, 1979.

Myron Lloyd Buller, 75, died Dec. 2 at his home northwest of Houston, Texas, after a prolonged illness. He was born Feb. 2, 1938, in Goessel, the youngest of nine children of Lydia F. Schmidt Buller and David D. Buller.
He grew up in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1958. He received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Bethel College in 1961 and a master’s degree from Fort Hays State University.

Ken Goertzen, 79, of Aurora, Neb., died Dec. 18 at Hamilton Manor in Aurora. He was born Aug. 27, 1934, in Hampton, Neb., to Isaac and Estalene (Unruh) Goertzen.
He graduated from Henderson High School and attended Tabor College for one year. He married Laura Suderman on June 5, 1956, in Hillsboro. They made their home and farmed near Henderson, Neb.

Scott Hogan McKercher, 49, of Peabody died Dec. 18 in Peabody. He was born Oct. 11, 1964, in Media, Pa., to Donald Cameron McKercher and Margaret Harden Hogan.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by a brother, Cam McKercher of Celebration, Fla.

Duane R. Sheridan, 83, of Peabody died Dec. 24 at Newton Medical Center. He was a retired Boeing tool and die maker.
He was a life member of Andover American Legion Post No. 406 and a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church in Andover. He became a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marion, after moving to Peabody. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953.

These photos were compiled from various editions of the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star Journal, and Peabody Gazette Bulletin over the 2013 year.

The past year has been a turbulent one, with lots of ups and downs, endings and new beginnings. Here at the newspaper, for example, we found ourselves hiring three new reporters mid-year. The combined talents of Oliver Good, Olivia Haselwood, and Joel Wright, who filled those openings, give us reason to be optimistic about 2014.
We aren’t the only ones who have seen significant personnel changes in 2013. Just look at the Marion city office. First the city hired Roger Holter to be the economic development director, then they promoted him to city administrator after Doug Kjellin resigned to buy Donahue Corporation (another significant new beginning in the county). Now the city is seeking an economic developer again, as well as a city clerk to replace Angela Lange, who is leaving to pursue a career in private business.

Sometimes our participation in this business of gathering news means we are more quickly informed than many others about crimes, births, upcoming celebrations, deaths, unions, and other stories. However, since we only publish once a week, the information we gather can also become common knowledge by the time the newspaper comes out.
I thought about those opposing statements when an obituary came into my email folder late this past week. With some sense of surprise, I read that former

DAYS OF YORE:

Five students from Marion County were named to the Bethel College dean’s list for the fall semester. Recognition on the dean’s list requires a grade point average of 3.7 or higher on 12 credit hours.
Freshmen Tia Goertzen and Georgia Thiesen of Goessel and Zachary Preheim of Peabody, sophomore Braden Unruh of Goessel, and junior Michelle Unruh of Goessel were named to the dean’s list.

The McPherson Opera House has scheduled two new upcoming performances.
Canadian Matt Anderson will bring his blues soul sounds to the stage at 7 p.m. Jan. 18.

Food commodities will be available for those in need from 2-6 p.m. Jan. 9 at 219 Adams St., Lincolnville.

Travis Hett and Sheila Makovec are engaged to be married. Their wedding is scheduled for May 24.
Aaron and Lanelle Hett of Marion are the parents of the prospective groom. Bruce and Sandra Hett of McPherson are his grandparents.

Goessel Junior/Senior High School and Peabody-Burns Elementary School were recipients of Healthy Habits for Life grants from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation.
Goessel family and consumer sciences teacher Gina Bergin and Peabody-Burns curriculum coordinator Kathy Preheim applied for the grants. Goessel was awarded the $1,000 maximum grant, and Peabody-Burns was awarded $994.

Of 26 teams represented at the South Central District FFA Leadership Conference Dec. 6 at Arkansas City, the Marion/Florence chapter placed third. Top individuals included Nick Meyer, who qualified for a state public speaking competition; Elizabeth Meyer; Clint Kroupa; Alicia Maloney; Kaitlyn Goebel; and Aidan Cairns. Others competing included Caitlyn Maloney, Raleigh Kroupa, Nathan Baldwin, Ryan Cochran and William Holt.

The 20th Century Club had its annual Christmas party and gift exchange Dec. 9 at Gayle Thomas’ home.
Belinda Skiles, Carol Laue, and Joni Crofoot were co-hostesses. Twenty-two members had a variety of snacks and hot wassail. Macky Taylor was welcomed as a new member. No business meeting was held.

Gene and Marge Christensen attended the college graduations of their two grandchildren on Dec. 13 and 14.
On the morning of Dec. 13 the Christensens drove to Manhattan to attend the graduation of Camille Christensen at Kansas State University. Also attending were Tim Christensen, Whitney, Tiffany, Jeffry, Liam, and Amy Pippin of Marion.

MARION SENIOR CENTER:

HILLSBORO SENIOR CENTER:

MEMORIES:

Since the 1960s, Marion football has benefitted from stars like Ron Oelschlager, Gary Melcher, Lou Wegerer, the late Calvin Hett, Brendan Kraus, and current coach Grant Thierolf.
However, few Warriors, if any, can match the honors of John Wheeler, his brother, Jason, and John’s son, Morgan.

After falling behind 11-6, Goessel took the lead and built a 30-17 advantage at halftime against Wakefield on Dec. 20. Wakefield closed the gap to 34-32 late, but Goessel held on for a 44-38 victory.
Goessel went into the Christmas break with a 1-0 league record and an overall record of 3-2. The Bluebirds will play again on Jan. 10 at Solomon.
Girls win big in 1st league game

The Peabody-Burns High School basketball teams both lost their final contests during the 2013 year. The boys lost 55-38, while the girls lost 46-15. Both teams will get back on the court Jan. 7 at Centre.
Girls
The Berean Academy offense scored 12 points in the first quarter. Jordan Gibson had the only two points for the PBHS squad. PBHS trailed 24-10 at halftime.